Enjoy virtual school vacation week activities, inspired by the special exhibit Dinosaur Train and our permanent collections.
The last of most dinosaur species died out about 65 million years ago. But did all life on Earth die out at the same time? No! We know that many species of both plants and animals were able to adapt in order to survive.
These animal species lived on Earth at the same time as dinosaurs and are still alive today!
Sharks
Caimans
Bees
Echidnas
Cockroaches
Horseshoe Crabs
But wait…
Did we just say “most dinosaur species died out?” Yes! It turns out that some theropods survived the cataclysmic event that killed most dinosaurs!
Most therapods shared these characteristics:
- Hollow bones
- Three main toes for walking on two legs
- Sharp teeth for eating meat
- Claws
Some maniraptora (an even smaller group of therapods) survived and evolved and changed over the next 65 million years. Today these dinosaurs live on every continent on Earth!
We call these living dinosaurs BIRDS!
According to the American Museum of Natural History, there are approximately 18,000 species of birds across our world!
If you live in New England or nearby and you go for a social-distancing walk with your grownups, you may be able to spot some of these living dinosaurs! Scroll through the gallery or use the worksheet.
Did you know that Springfield Museums is a Smithsonian Affiliate? The Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute is working to help migratory birds. Visit their website to learn how to get involved.
Springfield Museums is home to the largest collection of Currier & Ives prints in the world! Currier & Ives was a successful American printmaking business focused on lithographs depicting a wide variety of subjects. These four bird prints are in the collection of the D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts at Springfield Museums. Click the images to read more about each print.
You can make an art project based on a real bird or one that you imagine.
You will need:
- Chipboard, like an empty cereal box
- Scissors
- Markers or crayons
- Glue
- Craft feathers, googly eyes, or other collage materials
Cut a bird shape out of a piece of chipboard. Real birds have bodies, heads, legs, feet, and wings of all different shapes and sizes. Color some parts of your bird and add collage pieces where you like.
Share your creations with us using #AtTheMuseums.
